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Fundraiser Saturday for Billerica preschool director

By Rick Sobey, rsobey@lowellsun.com

Updated:
03/20/2014 08:57:28 PM EDT

BILLERICA -- The community is again stepping up to the plate for a Billerica preschool director undergoing stem-cell treatment.

The Learning Experience, an early-learning academy, is hosting "Melodies for Melody," a fundraiser from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday in Concord. The fundraiser for Melody Lee will feature live entertainment and games for children.

The event is free and open to the community.

" 'Melodies for Melody' means a great deal to the TLE family," said David Hawthorne, TLE Concord's Center Operating Partner. "Beyond the importance of raising funds for Melody, this event also serves as an opportunity to show the children at TLE a real-life example of the importance of philanthropy and the impact that it can have in the lives of others."

The fundraiser will bring together neighboring communities to raise awareness and donations for Lee, who is undergoing a full stem-cell replacement as part of treatment for Systemic Scleroderma, a debilitating, painful autoimmune disease that has become life-threatening. The disease leads to thickening of the skin caused by collagen accumulation, creating an excess buildup of scar tissue that affects the skin and internal organs.

The Concord center and TLE centers nationwide will be raising money throughout March in an effort to raise the $150,000 needed for Lee's stem-cell replacement.

At the "Melodies for Melody" event Saturday, at 130A Baker Ave.

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Extension in Concord, there will be various entertainers, including Delaney Carlson: Bagpiper March with Bubbles the Elephant; and Ed Morgan, Music Man Toddler Show. There will also be crafts, an auction and raffle with Bubbles the Elephant, and a singalong to end the day.

In addition, throughout March, Concord TLE will raise money by singing "Melodies for Melody." Anyone who wishes to donate at least $1 to Lee's cause can have a TLE staff member sing a melody of the donator's choosing.

Along with engaging in philanthropic activities, TLE prepares children academically and socially through innovative scholastic and enrichment programs such as L.E.A.P. curriculum, a proprietary approach to learning which has 90 percent of TLE children graduating preschool reading at a kindergarten or greater level.

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